Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 276

If that's the case, then it's undoubtedly the worst news.

Even if that's not the case, their intentions are still worrying: the Mohists are currently at their weakest point since the fall of the Yan state.

It's rather embarrassing: in the past twenty years, the Mohist school has repeatedly fallen into its "weakest period," and each time the lowest point has been even lower than the lowest point previously anticipated...

This time, even their main base is about to be lost. Whatever the reason, neutral forces in the martial arts world who are not involved in this matter will definitely think that the Mo family has no strength left.

Since the Qin army had been diverted by Chi Lian, only the two swordsmen, Zong Heng and Ji Bu with their rainbow-like sword energy, were still fighting here, apart from the Liu Sha group, Ji Yan, Ji Bu with his three little ones, and Sheng Qi.

Now that the Mo family has arrived with Xiaoyaozi, Xiang Liang, and others, the balance of power has instantly shifted.

The timid Ji Bu and the three little ones quickly arrived and joined the main force, while Liu Sha and Sheng Qi made no move.

Ji Yan, on the other hand, was not worried about herself at all. After confirming that all the main actors had arrived, she finally began to enjoy the sword fight with great interest.

Zongheng also noticed the movements here, but the battle between Yuanhong and Shark Tooth continued:

"You and Bai Fenghuang still have a chance to leave, but the rest of your subordinates will probably have to stay."

"Senior brother, it seems you haven't suffered enough setbacks along the way."

Despite Gai Nie's advice, Wei Zhuang smiled without any concern and swung his sword horizontally. Gai Nie turned around and blocked the attack with his sword, then said in a deep voice, "You have a deal with the leader of the Mohist school?"

Clang! The two swords clashed once more: "You can guess the contents of the deal!"

Amidst the flashing swords, the newcomers were all amazed. Just then, the 'Mo Family Leader' in the black cloak made a move that made Ji Yan raise an eyebrow: he lifted his cloak, revealing the handsome face that belonged to Zhang Liang.

"Gentlemen, please hear me out."

Using his internal energy, Zhang Liang's voice could be heard by everyone present.

"This is..." The Mo family and Xiang Liang were naturally shocked, as were the members of the Quicksand. But what puzzled Ji Yan, who was observing everyone closely, was that Xiaoyaozi was actually quite calm.

'This sect leader seems to have a lot of plans going on behind the scenes...'

'I remember in the last Taoist Celestial Sword Tournament, Chisongzi, the leader of the Tianzong Sect who had presided over three consecutive Snowfall events, was actually defeated by his long-time underdog, Xiaoyaozi. And Chisongzi also passed away not long after the sword match...'

'Although Chishongzi is old, he has been cultivating in seclusion on Mount Taiyi for decades. His temperament and physical condition are impeccable. Among his elders is the previous generation's master, Beimingzi, whose sudden death likely indicates underlying problems...'

With her bright, clear eyes open, Ji Yan began to perform her duties as recorder and monitor.

"Was this also part of your plan?"

As soon as Zhang Liang's face was revealed, the two armies immediately separated and ceased fighting. For the first time since entering the Mechanized City, Wei Zhuang felt that the situation was developing beyond his imagination. Yan Dan might be in trouble!

But soon, he smiled again: "No, but he is Zifang."

The two exchanged glances, confirming what each other was doing, before rushing back to the corridor in the crowd, their eyes both turning to Zhang Liang, who had become the center of attention.

"Are you... Zhang Liang, the Confucian scholar?"

Gao Jianli stepped forward. He had never seen the true face of the new leader, but he knew that the person behind this identity was definitely not Zhang Liang.

Confucian scholars are impersonating their Grand Masters, but where is the real Grand Master...?

The Mohists need an explanation.

“That’s right, but that’s not the point right now.” Facing everyone’s gaze, Zhang Liang’s relaxed smile turned into solemnity and seriousness: “First of all, I have some bad news for everyone in the Mo family… Your leader has passed away, just an hour ago at the Mo Gui Pond.”

Like a bolt from the blue striking the minds of all the Mohist disciples present, Zhang Liang made no attempt to conceal anything, describing the entire incident without omitting any details, and then frankly explained why he had impersonated the Grand Master.

Unable to discern the details, the Mohists, including Da Tiechui and Dao Zhi, led several Mohist disciples to the Mo Gui Pond to examine the leader's body.

With so many chivalrous figures in the martial arts world serving as witnesses, there is no doubt about the veracity of Zhang Liang's words.

When it was mentioned that the Grand Master died from the Six Souls Curse of the Yin-Yang School, Tianming and Shaoyu, two of the three children, immediately thought of the wicked woman who kidnapped Gao Yue. But before they could speak, Zhang Liang immediately changed the subject to Liusha.

"I'm sorry, but I have a second piece of bad news to share." Looking at everyone's expressions, Zhang San, the leader, threw out a new piece of important information into everyone's minds: "The Qin army that has just entered the Mechanized City is just the vanguard. The real main force of the Qin army, no less than five thousand men, has most likely already entered the mountainous area where the Mechanized City is located, and will launch a new round of attacks no later than tomorrow."

"In any case, to deal with tomorrow's Qin army offensive, clearing out the remaining Qin people in the current city is of paramount importance. We have no time to waste."

“Therefore, regarding Quicksand, my opinion is…” Zhang Liang spread his palm and extended it to Wei Zhuang: “The Mohists and Quicksand can put aside their grudges and jointly implement the Mohists’ Azure Dragon Plan!”

"what!"

Before the Quicksand faction could even respond, the Mo family was already in an uproar, and other chivalrous figures in the martial arts world were also discussing it animatedly.

Fortunately, the hot-tempered Big Iron Hammer had temporarily left, so only Gao Jianli, as the representative of the Mohist school, stood up and said coldly, "Master Zifang, I hope you can think things through before discussing this matter. At this moment, it is the Quicksand that is serving the Qin state by attacking the Mohist mechanical city."

"This is part of the Azure Dragon Plan that the Noble Master made before his death. I think Mr. Gao must know about the Noble Master's deployment in the Mechanized City and understand why the Mechanized City will be destroyed. Therefore, you should be able to see the actions of Quicksand from another perspective."

Zhang Liang's face was solemn, and his voice, which was usually gentle, had become more forceful: "There is another major piece of evidence to prove this, and that is that the new leader of the Mohist school is actually the former leader, Yan Dan, himself! I think you all understand what this means."

"Am I right, Brother Wei Zhuang?"

It was all just speculation, but with Zhang Liang's resolute tone, the crowd had already begun to believe it even before seeing the corpse of the Mohist leader.

Those leaders from the Mohist school who came from the state of Yan or had risen to power during the Yan period were even less likely to doubt this.

The new tycoon is the same as the old tycoon; there are usually some scattered clues to prove it...

"Hmph," Wei Zhuang said, noticing everyone looking at him, "There is indeed a deal between Liu Sha and Yan Dan."

Wei Zhuang is not a good person in the martial arts world, but with the backing of the Guigu disciples, his words carry a considerable degree of credibility...

With Zhang Liang's cooperation, he nodded and increased the force of his blows.

"The choices we make at this moment will determine the fate of the entire world."

“Zifang is right.” After Zhang Liang, Xiaoyaozi, who had been silent for a long time, was the first to stand up and cheer for him: “The Mohists advocate universal love, so perhaps they should also learn to let go of hatred.”

The second one was Gai Nie: "Our time is indeed running out."

Ultimately, it's strength that determines who has the right to speak, isn't it?

Watching this performance from above, Ji Yan smiled inwardly:

With Gai Nie, Xiaoyaozi, Zhang Liang, and Wei Zhuang's Quicksand gang, such strength, if used brute force, would be enough to force the Mohist school, which had lost its leader, to refuse...

This team selection is quite interesting. Gai Nie probably got the idea because of his conversation with his junior brother Wei Zhuang during the recent competition.

As for Xiaoyaozi, there is ample evidence to show that he had a prior connection with Zhang Liang!

As for why, maybe Brother Lu has some clues?

Chapter 326 The Third Person Who Feigned Death

The feud between the Mohists and the Quicksand has many origins and connections in the martial arts world.

But the most important one was undoubtedly the public execution of Yan Dan, the former Grand Master, by Wei Zhuang, which led to the fall of Ji City to the Qin army, making the state of Yan almost a nation destroyed.

Many of the leaders and newly recruited elite disciples of the Mohist school have connections with the State of Yan. Therefore, although the deep intertwining between the Mohist school and the State of Yan has only occurred in the twenty years since Six-Fingered Black Knight took Yan Dan under his wing, the Mohist school and the State of Yan have become inseparable under the control of the two generations of leaders.

Given this enmity, it would have been impossible for the Mohists to unite with the Quicksand. It was for this reason that Emperor Qin Shi Huang in Xianyang placed a certain degree of trust in the Quicksand, entrusting the entire vanguard of the Qin army to Wei Zhuang's command.

But now, Zhang Liang suddenly reveals that the new leader of the Mohist school in recent years is actually the former leader Yan Dan. Although Gao Jianli and others still do not know many reasons, the character of Yan Dan suddenly becomes complicated.

Regardless of merits, too many people paid a heavy price for Yan Dan's death.

But now they say that Yan Dan faked his death. Even if there was a reason for it, the disciples of the Mohist school have always been taught universal love and the will of Heaven, and they cannot ignore the sacrifices that occurred because of Yan Dan's death.

Viewing ordinary people's lives as mere numbers is a "good quality" among many powerful figures and monarchs of this era, but this "quality" cannot be imposed on everyone or required of everyone.

From the simplest perspective, this violates the rules of the Mo Xia (墨侠) community.

Moreover, if Gao Jianli, who knows more information, were to draw a deeper connection from this, he could see that Yan Dan's arrangements in the Mechanized City before his death could actually be seen as a reenactment of his fake death in Ji City: in Yan Dan's deal with Quicksand, ordinary Mohist disciples became insignificant sacrifices like the Yan army in Ji City.

The quicksand is still an enemy, but if this enemy was "invited" by their own leader, the Mohist disciples are torn by a complex mix of emotions.

Speculating that the new leader is Yan Dan and confirming that Yan Dan is the leader are two different things...

At this time, the Qin army was still pressing in outside the Mohist city, making it imperative for the righteous warriors of the six kingdoms to continue advancing the Azure Dragon Plan. Zhang Liang and Xiaoyaozi were indispensable forces among the righteous warriors of the six kingdoms, and Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang, as the Twin Swords of Guigu, were figures most people in the world wouldn't even dare to oppose...

These four people are now demanding that the Mohists accept the Quicksand...

The Mohist faction fell into deep thought, while Zhang Liang turned his gaze to Ji Yan:

"What does Hall Master Ji think of what I said?"

Clearly, he wanted to take advantage of today to drag the farmers into this mess: "When I said 'choices determine the fate of the world,' I was also taking Master Ji into consideration."

"Thank you for your kind words, but Mr. Zhang San will probably be disappointed with my answer. The farmers have no intention of joining your discussion."

Seeing that she had become the topic of conversation, Ji Yan was not at all intimidated and said with a faint smile: "I have already said it once before. My purpose in coming here is to see Sheng Qi. Although I have unintentionally heard some good stories, it does not mean that the Farmer's Clan will become one of you."

"Does the farmers still have to hide their affairs now?" Zhang Liang was not surprised by this, so he was not disappointed. He simply raised his voice and said, "I am an old acquaintance of your Lu Xiao Kui, and I understand to some extent his good intentions in wanting to protect Daze Mountain."

"The 100,000 disciples of the Farmer's School are too conspicuous. Once their rebellious intentions are exposed, they will attract the Qin army to press on the border. Therefore, Lu Xiaokui's caution began when he was still the head of the Gonggong Hall and has lasted for no less than ten years. I have long heard how spirited Lu Xiaokui was in his youth."

“He will understand why Liang did what he did today: we are not close friends, but we are clear about each other’s attitudes on certain issues.”

"Master Ji was personally trained by Lu Xiaokui, so he should know what he's doing."

"Mr. Zhang Liang, you flatter us. We, the leaders of the peasant clan, have always only done what a peasant leader should do." Ji Yan's expression remained unchanged. "But Mr. Zhang Liang, as the third leader of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, I wonder if your attitude represents Xiaoshengxianzhuang?"

Zhang Liang is one of the Three Heroes of Qi and Lu, but he is not qualified to represent Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Therefore, Ji Yan's question was precisely an inquiry into 'qualification':

Zhang Liang cannot represent Confucianism.

Similarly, Xiaoyaozi cannot represent Taoism, and he cannot represent not only the Heavenly Sect of Taoism, but also the Human Sect of Taoism.

The last of the Mohist schools, having lost their leader, will face a difficult problem in choosing a new one.

But Lu Wei is different; Lu Wei can truly represent the entire farming family.

In other words, none of the chivalrous figures present could match Lu Wei in terms of status and power, and Zhang Liang's direct mention of Lu Wei in such a setting was not in accordance with the rules of the martial arts world.

Zhang Liang understood Ji Yan's meaning and shook his head, saying, "The righteous men present today are all men of unwavering will, so our conversation will not be known to any outsiders, especially not to the Qin state."

He then added a veiled explanation, clarifying that he had no intention of deliberately inducing the peasants to break with the Qin state.

Although there were so many people present in the city and the conversation was bound to be leaked, it was not easy for outsiders to obtain sufficient and conclusive evidence: with so many people talking, all sorts of strange and unusual versions of rumors would circulate in the world, and relying solely on the statements in the comments was of little use.

"That's your business, it has nothing to do with me." Ji Yan calculated that the time was almost up, and looked down at Sheng Qi on the ground and said, "Aren't you coming back with me to face the judgment of the peasant family?"

Just as she was about to leave, Xiaoyaozi lightly blocked her way: "Why is Hall Master Ji in such a hurry? I have always respected the Farmer's School, but Hall Master Ji has come to the Mo Family's Mechanical City uninvited and heard so many secrets. If you just leave, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the people."

Zhang Liang kept quiet. He did indeed have some connection with Xiaoyaozi, so even if he had different opinions about Xiaoyaozi's behavior, he would not confront him in public.

Zhang San kept his eyes fixed on the two people facing off on the high place, ready to put out the fire at any moment.

Gai Nie glanced at his junior brother Wei Zhuang and noticed that Wei Zhuang wasn't rushing up to question Ji Yan as he had expected. Gai Nie became even more thoughtful.

Faced with this situation, Ji Yan did not use her eloquence, or rather, she did not want to say too much in the Mechanized City from beginning to end: the farmers had basically completed what needed to be done in the Mechanized City, and saying too much might expose some secrets.

So Jingni Sword was drawn decisively, and Ji Yan raised his chin, his meaning very clear: "Does Mr. Xiaoyao want to be my enemy?"